Had you ever heard of the 254 before this video? What did you think? Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
Interesting Fact: A Sd.Kfz. 254 that was converted into an agricultural tractor was refurbished with armor by an Czech mechanic to escape to West Germany. It was dubbed "The Freedom Tank".
I have not heard about this vehicle until this video, and I think it's absolutely wonderful that you research these topics and educate others on these obscure and rare bits of history, keeping them from being forgotten and lost; your work is nobel! May it be appreciated and passed on for generations to come! Thank you for being a sacred keeper of history!
I knew about the Austrian artillery tractor version of the vehicle, but I had never heard that the Germans had converted some to scout cars. Fascinating video!
Between the world wars, several nations experimented with wheel-and-track vehicles, including Czechoslovakia (KH series), Great Britain (Vickers-Armstrong, Vickers-Wolseley), Japan, New Zealand (Schofield), and Sweden (STRV L-30 and L-80). The US and USSR experimented with Christie-suspension vehicles that ran on tracks or, tracks removed, on the road wheels.
The "Sd.Kfz. 254" (Sonderkraftfahrzeug or Special Motor Vehicle) I didn't know the "Sd.Kfz. 254" (Sonderkraftfahrzeug or Special Motor Vehicle) before, but as a small light reconnaissance vehicle I think it's just right. I had something like this in mind for a long time, "Why didn't they...", not realising that it already existed. Thank you for the information.
Yes. I already know about it. Nevertheless, a good and considered video, straight to the point. Kudus to you.!!! I’m subscribing and liking. More, please. 👍👍👍👍👍
not such a bad idea. The Soviets have had another similar idea.The BT tanks could roll with removed tracks on hard streets on their rolling weels, but not able to drive cross country...
Ok, I have never seen or heard of the 254 But then I am a airplane person. I mostly watch German aircraft design during ww2 But I like all vehicles of that time period. Thank you!
This is an inspirational piece! Until British Aerospace pulled the plug on CVR(T) the mobility of wheeled cum tracks was matched in the Recce role. Where do I get a detailed account of the technical spec for the vehicle? Do we have anything on survivability? What about how they were knocked out please?
Specs are limited Pete mostly due to the small amount built. Survivability and how they were knocked out, there isn’t a lot on that. Given the thin armour most allied anti-tank infantry weapons would be able to make short work of them.
@PremierHistory Thanks for taking time to reply. I do have contact at Munsterlager, so will dangle a question there. But I guess I should mirror with the Austrian tank museum too. If I get anything I'll report it here.
@@PremierHistory Not really. Tracked vehicles were probably better. Especially against pot holes, and the non-paved roads of the USSR. It's obvious that this vehicle was of little value, due to the fact that only a few were made.
@@blckhorse02 Actually it's the other way round. Tracked vehicles are tough on paved roads. That why modern tank tracks have rubber pads. These reduce damage to paved roads and increase grip. In fact it is a requirement to have these pads fitted.
@@sandgrownun66 An interesting take on the situation. What I was taught is that paved roads don't have any give to them, and this can cause pin damage. Track links are held together by a pin that allow the links to flex the connection between each link. These pins are the weakest part of the track. Pins tend to get bent during road marches through urban areas or when you have to move armor on long stretches of road. Militaries, ever since the adoption of armored vehicles, have looked for ways to mitigate the damage to the vehicles during these movement. The best solution is the incorporation of rail-loading the vehicles. Driving the armored vehicles onto flat railcars protects the civilian infrastructure as well as the military vehicles. Every time that a vehicle I commanded or crewed threw a track, it was always in an urban environment and the culprit was a snapped pin. I did like the young German kids coming over to talk to us when we were fixing the track!
Had you ever heard of the 254 before this video? What did you think?
Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
I had it a similar vehicle in concept in a book called the Mulus.
Nope. Thank you so much for this interesting video.
Germans: "This Austrian suspension is insanely finicky, expensive and complicated. We must adopt it."
We will flood the battlefield with three of them.
Interesting Fact:
A Sd.Kfz. 254 that was converted into an agricultural tractor was refurbished with armor by an Czech mechanic to escape to West Germany. It was dubbed "The Freedom Tank".
Even after the war it still had its uses!
excellent video. never heard of this vehicle. thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Bill thanks very much
Me too.
I have not heard about this vehicle until this video, and I think it's absolutely wonderful that you research these topics and educate others on these obscure and rare bits of history, keeping them from being forgotten and lost; your work is nobel! May it be appreciated and passed on for generations to come!
Thank you for being a sacred keeper of history!
I knew about the Austrian artillery tractor version of the vehicle, but I had never heard that the Germans had converted some to scout cars. Fascinating video!
Thanks X-ray, happy you learnt something!
Much better then the Russian junk lawn mower machines they using in Ukraine 🤣🤣
Between the world wars, several nations experimented with wheel-and-track vehicles, including Czechoslovakia (KH series), Great Britain (Vickers-Armstrong, Vickers-Wolseley), Japan, New Zealand (Schofield), and Sweden (STRV L-30 and L-80). The US and USSR experimented with Christie-suspension vehicles that ran on tracks or, tracks removed, on the road wheels.
The "Sd.Kfz. 254" (Sonderkraftfahrzeug or Special Motor Vehicle)
I didn't know the "Sd.Kfz. 254" (Sonderkraftfahrzeug or Special Motor Vehicle) before, but as a small light reconnaissance vehicle I think it's just right. I had something like this in mind for a long time, "Why didn't they...", not realising that it already existed.
Thank you for the information.
Glad you learnt something! Looks like you had the same idea though!
Steyr Daimler its origins.
What am I surprised about?! I had a Steyr-Daimler-Puch 300GD ;-)
Have not heard of but seems like it was a good idea if it had been improved on.
Definitely an interesting design!
I was aware of it, but I did not know they produced that many or the range of deployment. Thank you.
Never heard of it. Interesting video, thanks! Hitler probably asked if they could fit an 88 on it, lol.
Why not two 88’s!
And a saluting light.
So you didn't have to keep up your arm. 😂
Surprised they didn't try it with the Tigers. News to me. Neat.
I've seen pictures here and there, thanks for informing me on something I've wondered about for a while
Glad you enjoyed it Alex, thanks for the support
Yes.
I already know about it.
Nevertheless, a good and considered video, straight to the point.
Kudus to you.!!!
I’m subscribing and liking.
More, please.
👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for the support, glad you enjoyed it!
Interesting concept, I had not come across this vehicle before
Nice one, glad you learnt something!
not such a bad idea. The Soviets have had another similar idea.The BT tanks could roll with removed tracks on hard streets on their rolling weels, but not able to drive cross country...
Brilliant I'd love see one in the armour museum in Cairns Australia
Never seen that one before! well done.
Glad you could learnt something new!
First time I recall hearing of it, wil be an interesting model to scratch build, if I ever get around to it.
Ok, I have never seen or heard of the 254
But then I am a airplane person. I mostly watch German aircraft design during ww2
But I like all vehicles of that time period.
Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the video John!
There's still a fully operational RR7 in Austria 🙂
Still going after all these years!
A must-watch!
Thanks for the support!
I'd never seen, or heard of them before 👍👍
Glad you learnt something Trevor
thank you
Heard of it, yes. Actually found out what it was or seen pictures, no.
Halfway there I guess!
This is an inspirational piece! Until British Aerospace pulled the plug on CVR(T) the mobility of wheeled cum tracks was matched in the Recce role. Where do I get a detailed account of the technical spec for the vehicle? Do we have anything on survivability? What about how they were knocked out please?
Specs are limited Pete mostly due to the small amount built. Survivability and how they were knocked out, there isn’t a lot on that. Given the thin armour most allied anti-tank infantry weapons would be able to make short work of them.
@PremierHistory Thanks for taking time to reply. I do have contact at Munsterlager, so will dangle a question there. But I guess I should mirror with the Austrian tank museum too. If I get anything I'll report it here.
Would it have two sets of steering devices?
no not heard befor
Glad you learnt something new!
Nice One! Fascinating and Enlightening. Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it!
No never this vidéo ! From Belgium !
Thanks Jean!
Used this in some of my Flames of Wars armys. Cute toy.
Nice one!
I was today years old...
Nice Matt
@@PremierHistory Have you seen the Panhard EBR-90?
I have seen a long time ago pics of the vehicle in Africa and in Russia.
Use in countries with difficult grounds is obvious.
Yes definitely worked better in difficult terrain
I found out this thing when I play coh3 lol
Nice one
I'll ask the opinion of the mechanics.
I'm not an expert.
Good suggestion!
Sowas konnten sich wohl nur die Österreicher mit den Deutschen ausdenken...
😂
Amazing engineering by them for sure!
I'm guessing the top speed discussed in the video was wheeled travel, on-road. Any info on the top speed cross-country/using the tracks?
nope very interesting
first time I have heard of it. A silly vehicle.
Looks very silly doesn’t it!
@@PremierHistory yes, a silly little failure, too many variations too much trouble. Typical overthinking of the Wehrmacht. thanks for the vid.
What a stupid vehicle. Were the Germans that worried about damaging the roads of the countries they invaded with tracked vehicles?
Pot holes, the ultimate downfall for Germany!
Paved roads are very rough on tracked vehicles.
@@PremierHistory Not really. Tracked vehicles were probably better. Especially against pot holes, and the non-paved roads of the USSR. It's obvious that this vehicle was of little value, due to the fact that only a few were made.
@@blckhorse02 Actually it's the other way round. Tracked vehicles are tough on paved roads. That why modern tank tracks have rubber pads. These reduce damage to paved roads and increase grip. In fact it is a requirement to have these pads fitted.
@@sandgrownun66 An interesting take on the situation. What I was taught is that paved roads don't have any give to them, and this can cause pin damage. Track links are held together by a pin that allow the links to flex the connection between each link. These pins are the weakest part of the track. Pins tend to get bent during road marches through urban areas or when you have to move armor on long stretches of road. Militaries, ever since the adoption of armored vehicles, have looked for ways to mitigate the damage to the vehicles during these movement. The best solution is the incorporation of rail-loading the vehicles. Driving the armored vehicles onto flat railcars protects the civilian infrastructure as well as the military vehicles. Every time that a vehicle I commanded or crewed threw a track, it was always in an urban environment and the culprit was a snapped pin. I did like the young German kids coming over to talk to us when we were fixing the track!